Wrist support for use with a computer mouse

Abstract

A wrist support for supporting a hand, wrist and forearm of a person during operation a computer mouse. The support forms a channel or cradle, which receives the palm, wrist and upper forearm. The support further comprises a thumb support extending and a fifth finger support extending to create an abducted position of the thumb and fifth finger relative to the remainder of the hand to relieve pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, leaving the second, third, and forth finger to operate the mouse. This configuration may ease strain on the wrist and may be advantageously used by persons with carpal tunnel syndrome. This support is constructed from hard plastic material and has a base which glides freely over hard flat surfaces.

The embodiment of the invention to which and exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
       1. A wrist support for use with a computer mouse comprising: 
       a substantially rigid main body portion contoured to cradle a heel of the hand, a wrist and a distal portion of the forearm of a user;  
       wherein the main body portion defines a longitudinally extending channel to supportingly receive the heal of the hand, and wrist and the distal portion of the forearm in a neutral position;  
       wherein the main body portion extends longitudinally beyond the heal of the hand to terminate a position substantially corresponding to the base of the fingers of the hand;  
       wherein the main body portion further comprises a protuberance adjacent the longitudinally extending channel at a position selected to supportingly contact the radial portion of the wrist adjacent the base of the user's thumb;  
       wherein the protuberance is substantially crescent shaped; and  
       a thumb support extending longitudinally beyond the main body portion;  
       wherein the thumb support is shaped and positioned to maintain the thumb of a user in a laterally abducted position relative to the palm of the hand; and  
       wherein the thumb support is raised above the plane of the body portion to maintain the thumb of a user in a raised position relative to the palm of the hand.  
     
     
       2. The wrist support of  claim 1 , further comprising a fifth finger support extending longitudinally beyond the main body portion. 
     
     
       3. The wrist support of  claim 2  wherein the fifth finger support is shaped and positioned to maintain the fifth finger of a user in a laterally abducted position relative to the remaining fingers of the hand. 
     
     
       4. The wrist support of  claim 3  wherein the fifth finger support is raised above the plane of the main body portion to maintain the thumb of a user in a raised position relative to the palm of the hand. 
     
     
       5. The wrist support of  claim 2  wherein the thumb support and the fifth finger support define a recessed area therebetween, which recessed area is sized and positioned to receive in non-contacting relation, a computer mouse. 
     
     
       6. The wrist support of  claim 1  wherein the main body portion has, on an underside thereof, a base portion adapted to maintain the main body portion in stable aligned horizontal contact with a hard flat surface. 
     
     
       7. The wrist support of  claim 6  wherein the base portion is adapted to glide freely over the hard flat surface. 
     
     
       8. The wrist support of  claim 6  wherein the base portion is elongated to permit the wrist support to glide to a position partially overhanging the edge of a hard flat surface. 
     
     
       9. The wrist support of  claim 6  wherein the base portion is sized and positioned to minimize the surface area thereof which is in said contact with the hard flat surface. 
     
     
       10. The wrist support of  claim 9  wherein the base portion is substantially T-shaped in outline. 
     
     
       11. The wrist support of  claim 6  wherein the wrist support is constructed from hard smooth material. 
     
     
       12. The wrist support of  claim 11  wherein the wrist support is constructed from hard smooth plastic. 
     
     
       13. The wrist support of  claim 12  wherein the wrist support is constructed from glass filled polypropylene.